Werribee line trains on the Altona Loop will shut down from 7.30pm on June 16 until July 30 as the level crossing in Kororoit Creek Road, outside the Mobil Altona refinery, is removed.
Buses will replace trains in the Altona Loop, transporting commuters between Seaholme, Altona and Westona stations. Werribee line trains will run express between Newport and Laverton.
The train line closure is because of a 43-day “construction blitz”, the government said in a written statement on Monday.
There would also be some off-peak closures on the Werribee line between Newport and Werribee and some overnight closures of Kororoit Creek Road, according to the statement.
As part of the removal, 800 metres of track will be duplicated to allow trains to pass each other on the Altona Loop.
During the train shutdown, a dual rail bridge will be built over Kororoit Creek Road and the track will be duplicated between Altona junction and Kororoit Creek.
Westona station is the only place on the Altona Loop where trains can pass each other, but the new partial duplication will provide another passing point and reduce the number of trains forced to bypass the loop via the Werribee line, the government said.
Altona Loop Group spokeswoman Jennifer Williams said commuters hoped the partial duplication would reduce the frequency of trains bypassing the Altona Loop.
“The project must ensure that adequate bus replacements are available so that people are able to get to where they are going,” she said.
“There is also concern that the Laverton service passengers will not be able to fit on the overcrowded Werribee peak-hour services.”
Ms Williams said many people had abandoned using the train because of unreliable and infrequent services.
“We need reliable services so that people don’t have to drive, either to Newport or Laverton or the entire way to their destination. With many new developments in Seaholme and Altona, improvements are overdue and necessary.”
